Seth Appert

Rensselaer coach Seth Appert has signed a seven-year contract extension with the school, taking him through the the 2017-18 season.

Appert, in his fifth year as RPI's coach, led the Engineers to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1996 with a 20-12-5 season. RPI qualified despite losing in the first round of the ECAC tournament to 12th-seeded Colgate.

Appert was a goaltender at Ferris State from 1992-96. He eventually became an assistant coach under George Gwozdecky at Denver, helped lead the Pioneers to consecutive national championships in 2004 and 2005. He replaced Dan Fridgen at RPI prior to the 2006-07 season.

After three rebuilding years, Appert led RPI to 18 wins last season.

In five seasons, Appert is currently 69-97-23. The Engineers face North Dakota in the Midwest Regional on Saturday.